2018-19 Big Bash League – Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat taking place? Saturday, 5th January - 10:30 (UK)
Where is Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat taking place? Optus Stadium
What is the expected weather for Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat? 26-28c and sunshine expected all day
What channel is Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat on? Fox in Australia & BT Sport 2 in the UK
Where can I stream Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat? BT Sport subscribers can stream the match online via the BT Sport website
Where can I get tickets for Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat? http://www.perthscorchers.com.au/tickets
THE STATISTICS
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All-time meetings: Perth Scorchers W5, Brisbane Heat W4
Last meeting: Brisbane Heat beat Perth Scorchers by 49 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
PERTH SCORCHERS
Coach: Adam Voges
Captain: Mitchell Marsh
- This is pretty much a must-win game for both teams but especially the Scorchers who have won just one of their five matches so far and they are coming off a deflating loss to Sydney Thunder where they came one run short of the Thunders' total of 142/6.
- While results have gone against them so far, they have five of their next six matches at home where they are notoriously strong so that is a major boost while they can also count on Mitch Marsh who has been released from national team duties with Australia.
- Marsh comes back in to skipper the side while fast bowler Matt Kelly also comes in for this one as Usman Qadir and Sam Whiteman drop out of the 13-man squad and the inclusion of Marsh especially should give them a major lift.
BRISBANE HEAT
Coach: Daniel Vettori
Captain: Chris Lynn
- Brisbane Heat are the only team in BBL08 yet to have won a single match so far although they have only played three matches, and they did manage to take Sydney Sixers to the final over in what was an extremely close loss last time out.
- Coach Daniel Vettori and skipper Chris Lynn will have been content with the determination and effort in that game, but they were still found wanting with the bat outside of the captain and his innings of 84, while none of the bowlers could really dent the Sixers and none are standing out right now.
- Matt Renshaw has been included in the 13-man squad and they may want him to play a role at the top of the order to anchor them with hitters around him while Alex Ross and Brendan Doggett are also in-line to play here as Sam Heazlett drops out of the reckoning.
THE PREDICTION
Both of these teams are in desperate need of a victory right now but Perth will be content to be returning for a stint on home turf. Their bowling unit has been strong but their batting has let them down, and they simply have to improve to give their bowlers something to work with. Brisbane on the other hand, have been poor with the bat – Chris Lynn apart – and awful with the ball too, and they just lack quality in that department which adds pressure to the batsmen. Both teams have competed hard and well of late as they only narrowly lost their last respective match, but the edge goes with the Scorchers based on home advantage and a better balanced team all-round.
